Page experience refers to the experience of users in browsing your website. Several factors affect how these users view your website. It’s Google’s top priority in deciding which websites to rank high. If you want to move up the ranking, focus on boosting user experience. Here are some web design tips to consider if you wish to do well in this regard.
Boost loading speed
The most critical aspect of Google’s new algorithm is loading speed. You can’t have a website that doesn’t load quickly. It will push you down the page ranking. For instance, if it takes three seconds for the page to load, you will lose up to 32% of all visitors.
If it goes to as high as six seconds, the bounce rate will be three times higher. The key is to remove the unnecessary elements of the website. Pictures with huge file sizes or animations might consume too much space, and you don’t want them on the site. If they don’t do anything to boost potential customers, remove them.
The website must be mobile-friendly
Another key is to have a website that performs well on mobile devices. More people use their smartphones to conduct transactions these days. They don’t wait to get back home to continue doing anything on their computers. Therefore, it pays to invest in having a mobile-friendly website. It also helps boost your Google page ranking. The company made it clear that responsive websites are a priority.
When opened on a smartphone, the website should be clear and complete. There are no cropped images or invisible text. It should also be easy to zoom the page and see the information. Finally, the tabs must look organized and easy to navigate.
Keep the website safe for browsing
Safety is another aspect of page experience. When visitors open the website, there should be no risks of receiving malware or viruses. Make sure you use a quality firewall and ensure everyone’s protection.
Using an HTTPS website is also self-explanatory. You can’t run a website that doesn’t have a high-security level anymore. Visitors are also aware of it, and they might not trust you anymore if you can’t give them what they deserve.
Don’t use anything intrusive
You probably tried opening a website where there are pop-ups all over the place. Instead of searching for more information, you decide to leave the page. You can’t close more pop-ups before getting what you want.
Anything intrusive can distract you from your goal and delays everything. Your visitors also feel the same. Therefore, avoid using any pop-ups or anything that prevents anyone from pursuing the transaction.
Interactivity is a must
Another factor in improving the website is interactivity. When people visit the page, they must feel engaged. There should be quizzes, polls, videos, games, and other interactive things to keep them. Some visitors might not decide to be customers right away, but they have a reason to return.
Content is still everything
Despite all the changes in Google’s algorithms, one thing remains clear- content is king. You can’t hide from it. Even if you did everything right, including technical SEO, poor content could pull you down.
Make sure you produce content that people will feel interested in. Apart from text, consider using pictures and videos. Emphasize using videos since they go viral quickly. People also love seeing creating videos and won’t hesitate to share them across platforms.
The key is to look for great ideas and find a unique point of view. The goal is to give people new information and see you as a reliable brand. Again, it takes time before they decide to be loyal customers, but they have a reason to come back. They know that upon opening your website, they will get something new.
Double-check anything you publish and avoid errors. If you found one, correct it immediately and apologize. In this age of fake news, you don’t want to get accused of spreading false information. You may also quote other sources or cite authority websites if it helps build your case. With quality content, you can convince more people to trust you.
Always be aware of what your competitors do
Checking your website against different standards is one thing. It helps to understand what makes your website stand out. However, you should also know where you stand against your competitors. Make sure you analyze what they do right and try to do better.
You may also learn from their experiences and avoid the same mistakes. Figure out what works and see if you can use the same strategy. Search the first 50 websites appearing on Google when you type the keywords you target and analyze them.
Don’t redirect users all the time
When people visit your website, they should find the right information immediately. Avoid sending them to different links to get something. It can be frustrating. Instead of viewing the page, they decide to leave and look for another website. So, simplify the process and remove complicated paths.
It's not about the visual appeal alone
While web design is part of the user experience, it’s not always about the physical appearance. Your page might look good, but it doesn’t mean people will like it. They might not find the content interesting and decide to leave. The images might also be stunning, but they won’t convince anyone since they’re unrelated to your brand.
Carefully select what to include on your website, and don’t publish anything that won’t boost your company. Even the chosen font and colors can impact how people view your page. Choose them wisely and stick to your brand at all times.
Don’t panic
Sure, the Google Page Experience announcement made it feel like the game drastically changed. While it’s true, you can still get things done. Google also gave all websites an ample opportunity to improve. As long as you don’t violate any rules, you’re good to go. Follow these tips, and your website will continue to rank high. If you did something wrong, correct it. You can bounce back from a low ranking if you continue evolving your website.
Besides, if you feel like gasping for air, your competitors feel the same. No one knows what Google wants. There are guidelines to consider, but these algorithms are unique. Only Google's experts understand how things work, and you should continue figuring out how to do well. It might take a lot, but it's possible.
Changes will continue
If you feel stressed because of this new guideline, prepare yourself to do more. SEO is a complicated field, and ranking high will always be a challenge. However, as a business owner, you must understand the changes and continue playing along. Realize that SEO is critical for all businesses. Many people use Google to search for information online. If you’re behind the game, potential customers will choose your competitors over you.
The best part is you can work with SEO firms. These experts will guide you if you still have a hard time understanding what Google requires. You might have to pay for these services, but it would be worth it. Once you already see the results of your hard work, you won’t mind pursuing the partnership. These
firms worked with several companies in the past. They can help figure out the right plan to boost your website.
You can’t see results right away, and it requires patience. However, once you already understand what Google wants, it won’t take time before seeing changes. The best indicator is an increase in conversion rate. It refers to the people who visited your website and decided to be loyal customers. If you can continue boosting this metric, it will do wonders for your business. You will also feel motivated to do more.
